Outside Chance for Gayle Recovery

With enough rest and treatment, there is an outside chance West Indies opener Chris Gayle could be ready for the second Test against South Africa starting on Boxing Day.

That's the word from chairman of the WICB's medical panel Dr Akshai Mansingh who disclosed that Gayle suffered a grade one hamstring strain which was "not as serious as it looked on television."

With a grade one strain, there is a sensation of cramp or tightness and a slight feeling of pain when the muscles are stretched or contracted. Mansingh said Gayle suffered a bit of bleeding in the muscle and with the required treatment, he could be considered for the second Test in Durban.

Gayle is being treated in South Africa with rest, ice, compression and elevation and West Indies tour management is crossing their fingers he could recover in time for the crucial Boxing Day Test. At this stage, it is unlikely that the injury could rule Gayle out of the tour.

If Gayle can't go, the likely change could see Barbadian middle-order strokeplayer Dwayne Smith making his debut with Daren Ganga moving up to open the batting.

Gayle damaged the hamstring on the first day of the first Test and batted low down the order with a runner in both innings. His absence was particularly painful in the field, where he has proven to be a reliable off-spin option for Brian Lara.